Even in the Valley: How to Trust God’s Presence in Every Season

There’s something about Psalm 23 that catches me off guard every time. It’s not just comforting—it’s alive. It doesn’t sugarcoat life or paint a picture of perfection. Instead, it breathes assurance into the broken places. It reminds us that even in the darkest valleys, God is actively present—not distant, not passive, not simply waiting at the end of the tunnel, but with us, right here.

That truth hits differently when you’ve walked through some valleys of your own. I’ve been the woman held together by the quiet whisper of God when everything else was unraveling. I’ve known fear that pressed so hard against my chest that I couldn’t move forward. I’ve wrestled with feeling forgotten, unseen, unwanted. And still, Psalm 23 remains—faithful and true. It’s a psalm not just about death, as it’s often recited at funerals, but about life lived with God. Every step, every breath, every mess and every miracle—it’s all with Him. God is actively present in the beautiful and the broken.

The Lord is my Shepherd…

These six words begin a declaration, not a wish. David, the shepherd-king, opens this psalm with certainty. His life wasn’t easy. He was chased, betrayed, overlooked, and heartbroken. And yet, his confidence wasn’t in his crown or courage but in his Shepherd. That’s what I want. I want to be the kind of person who overflows with Jesus. You know the type—when life bumps into them, Jesus spills out. I think David was that kind of person. His psalms reveal a man so full of the presence of God that even in his groans, God’s glory leaked through.

In my own life, I’m learning what it means to follow the Shepherd through both green pastures and dry seasons. Sometimes I let fear of the future creep in and take the lead. It sneaks in during quiet moments and turns peace into panic. Thoughts like, “What if I’m always alone?” or “What if I never get ahead?” can feel louder than truth. But David reminds me that fear is not my guide—God is.

He makes me lie down in green pastures…

This isn’t just about rest—it’s about trust. Sheep only lie down when they feel safe. God doesn’t force us into stillness; He gently leads us there. In my morning “Coffee with God” times, I’ve been trying to slow down. Brew the coffee, open the Word, breathe. No rushing into the next thing. Just stillness with the Shepherd.

It’s in these quiet mornings that I remember—God is actively present not only in the emergencies. He shows up in the ordinary. When I’m folding laundry. Pulling weeds from the garden. Making dinner. Writing lesson plans. He’s not only the God of the big moments; He is the Lord of the everyday ones too.

Even though I walk through the valley…

Notice what it says—we walk through the valley. We don’t stay. We don’t camp out. We’re not abandoned there. God walks us through it. And the valley doesn’t mean He’s absent. It means He’s near. Closer than we can comprehend.

There have been times in my life when I’ve felt like I was sitting in that valley with no light. Times when loneliness crept in like fog. When I questioned if I mattered to anyone—if I was ever someone’s first choice. But in the quiet, God kept showing up. Through His Word. Through worship. Through whispered reminders that I am His.

You anoint my head with oil…

This verse always makes me pause. God doesn’t just get us through the valley; He honors us in the presence of our enemies. He anoints, refreshes, restores. I’ve learned that healing doesn’t always look like everything going right. Sometimes it looks like joy showing up in unexpected places. Like laughter after tears. Like worship in the middle of a messy kitchen. Like realizing God has been pursuing you all along.

When we trust Him to lead, we also trust Him to restore—not just survive.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…

God’s goodness isn’t a maybe—it’s a surely. His mercy doesn’t lag behind. It’s right there with us. That’s what I cling to. Not perfection. Not predictability. But the pursuit of a Shepherd who refuses to let me walk alone. And I’m learning that God is actively present, not just in what He gives, but in who He is.

This psalm isn’t about striving or doing more—it’s about belonging. Being known. Being led.

Living This Out

We can choose to let Psalm 23 be more than a passage we recite in crisis. We can let it be a declaration we live daily.

God is your daily guide—not just when life makes sense, but especially when it doesn’t.

You don’t walk alone—His presence is constant.

You’re not just surviving—you’re being restored.

You don’t have to wait for the chaos to end to find peace—He leads in stillness too.

And when the future feels overwhelming and fear tries to steal your breath, lean into the Shepherd who’s already gone ahead of you. He sees every twist in the path, every shadow in the valley, and He’s already making a way through.

Scripture References:

• Psalm 23 (whole passage)
• John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd.”
• Isaiah 40:11 – “He tends His flock like a shepherd…”
• Revelation 7:17 – “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd.”

If this blog post encouraged you, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. And if you’re struggling to believe God is near—know this: He already knows, and He’s already walking toward you.

Let’s be people who live so full of Christ that when life bumps into us, Jesus spills out.

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